You'll Find Out (1940)

The manager of Kay Kyser's band books them for a birthday party bash for an heiress at a spooky mansion, where sinister forces try to kill her.

Director:

David Butler

Writers:

James V. Kern (screen play), David Butler (story)

Stars:

Kay Kyser, Peter Lorre, Boris Karloff

Nominated for 1 Oscar.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Kay Kyser	...	Kay Kyser
Peter Lorre	...	Karl Fenninger
Boris Karloff	...	Judge Spencer Mainwaring
Bela Lugosi	...	Prince Saliano
Helen Parrish	...	Janis Bellacrest
Dennis O'Keefe	...	Chuck Deems
Alma Kruger	...	Aunt Margo Bellacrest
Joseph Eggenton	...	Jurgen
Kay Kyser Band	...	Kay Kyser's Band (as Kay Kyser's Band)
Ginny Simms	...	Ginny Simms
Harry Babbitt	...	Harry Babbitt
M.A. Bogue	...	Ish Kabibble (as Ish Kabibble)
Sully Mason	...	Sully Mason

Storyline

Kay Kyser and his orchestra are hired to entertain at the birthday party of a young heiress at a creepy old mansion, where they uncover a plot against her life. Who is the villain? The sinister judge? The phony medium? The skeptical psychologist? You'll find out.

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Plot Keywords:

sinister | heiress | birthday party | mansion | medium | 

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Taglines:

WITH PETER LORRE - BORIS KARLOFF - BELA LUGOSI (THE HA-HA HORROR BOYS THEMSELVES!) (original print ad - all caps)

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Genres:

Comedy | Horror | Musical | Mystery | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 November 1940 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Old Professor

Box Office

Budget:

$353,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

RKO Radio Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Debut of Jeff Corey.

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Goofs

When Kay Kyser is in the secret passageway, the lighting changes frequently.

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Quotes

Kay Kyser: We have our business and you have your business.
Prince Saliano: [Affronted] Please do not refer to my calling as a business.
Kay Kyser: Oh, no offense, I just meant that everybody has to stick to his own racket.
Prince Saliano: [Insulted] Racket? Do you dare to suggest that the practice of the occult sciences is a racket?
'Prof. Karl Fenninger': Do not merely suggest it, Mr. Kyser. Insist upon it.

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Crazy Credits

"The College of Musical Knowledge" is an on-screen opening acting credit, but its members are the studio audience, since Kay Kyser refers to them as "students."

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Connections

References Gulliver's Travels (1939)

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Soundtracks

Like the Fella Once Said
(1940) (uncredited)
Music by Jimmy McHugh
Lyrics by Johnny Mercer
Played by the Kay Kyser Band and sung by Sully Mason, Harry Babbitt, Ginny Simms, M.A. Bogue, Kay Kyser and other band members
Danced by Kay Kyser

User Reviews

CLASSIC HORROR SPOOF (IF YOU'RE BRIGHT ENOUGH TO NOTICE!)

After reading many 'reviews' of this film, I STILL find it amazing how much this cute, musically satisfying film is maligned by 'horrornerds' who are too dumb to see it for what it is/was- a VERY successful vehicle for hugely popular 40s radio bandleader Kay KYSER- not KAISER, KAYSER, or KISER- it's KYSER. With Karloff, Lugosi and Lorre in it, they STILL expect FRANKENSTEIN MEETS Dracula AND MR. MOTO. Of course, horrornerds have never been known for their intellect (sorry). The music is expertly presented, with some serious songs- I'D KNOW YOU ANYWHERE, ONE TRACK MIND, upbeat swing numbers- LIKE THE FELLA ONCE SAID, and yes, silly novelties like THE BAD HUMOR MAN (originally to have been sung by the 3 horror stars). The self deprecating humor Kyser employs in most of his films (seven features)is evident here.Fact is, the man was brilliant as a front man and businessman, and kept many of his musicians for many years. He foresaw the end of the big band days, got out of the biz a millionaire, and ended up as president of the Worldwide Church of Christian Science. Laugh THAT off! YOU'LL FIND OUT will be on TCM twice this halloween 2004 season. Check your listings.